Tae Kwon-Do used to be a lot like Fight Club.
It was violent. We trained in dark rooms. And those who participated in it didn’t talk much about it, even with other people who did Tae Kwon-Do.
I don’t condone fighting, regardless of how much we talk about it on this blog or in the dojang. I think most people are the same way. Some don’t even want to talk about fighting.
I hear all the time how folks won’t even entertain the thought of training with us because they simply don’t want to get in a fight. In the real world, it won’t always be up to them. Sometimes the fight finds you, whether you want it to or not. Tae Kwon-Do doesn’t encourage fighting, but we do encourage being ready to fight when the time comes.
Some look at martial arts as a bonus in life; a hobby that some people do. And that is certainly true of some schools. There, Tae Kwon-Do is primarily treated as exercise. There is nothing wrong with exercise. But I don’t believe you can truly call it a martial art if you’re just kicking and punching for the sake of kicking and punching, and not concerned with the why’s and what’s of what you’re doing.
“Fighting” usually refers to physical altercations. But over Tae Kwon-Do’s life, people have found themselves involved in other kinds of fights. These days, people are fighting financially, mentally, even against state and federal government institutions which have been failing them miserably.
More than ever, people will need to have a strong internal self as well as a strong physical self. If we look at each of life’s obstacles as a fight, there are aspects of Tae Kwon-Do that can help you win all of them. I have always been outspoken about how Tae Kwon-Do can help with all aspects of life. I believe that the rest of the world is about to come around to that realization as well.
Tae Kwon-Do will probably never be as popular as football or baseball in this country. But I believe it will soon find its place where people know they need a little something “extra” to help them navigate the changing world.
It is already starting. Parents come in and say that their kid is already good at sports, but they need something that is going to make them better as a person; something that will fortify their spirit amidst all of the negative noise around them.
I believe that Tae Kwon-Do will become a place where people find refuge in knowing that they can take care of themselves. Knowing that they’re a better person. Knowing that they have that edge on other people, if need be.
I envision Tae Kwon-Do being the physical version of a Tony Robbins-type situation. Where people go to Tony Robbins or other gurus to rewire their brain, people will turn to Tae Kwon-Do schools to rewire their body and spirit to not be afraid, to take more control of their life.
Many people have come to me when they felt their life spinning out of control. They have exhausted all of the conventional help out there. They have tried golf, they have tried counseling, they have even tried medication, and they’re looking for something outside of the box. I believe this will continue in the future, where people will seek Tae Kwon-Do to help them mentally. Tae Kwon-Do will be that x-factor that isn’t obvious, but is also a no-brainer at the same time.
What once took place in dark rooms will soon move into the light. But, more importantly, I believe that Tae Kwon-Do’s reputation will move into the light as well. It will no longer be thought of as a means to learn how to fight and inflict damage on other people.
Rather, others will come to know what we in the martial arts world have known for decades: that the benefits of Tae Kwon-Do are holistic. Tae Kwon-Do will help prepare you – body, mind, and soul – for whatever fights in life that you find yourself in.
Master Gorino’s Tae Kwon-Do offers a trial program for individuals and families in Buffalo, NY and the surrounding areas that allows you to get a feel for the different classes, meet our instructors, and experience our dojang. It’s a great way to see if Tae Kwon-Do is right for you. To learn more or to sign up, visit the Contact Us page or call (716) 836-KICK (5425) and a member of our team will follow up with you on next steps. We look forward to helping you achieve your goals. Pil-Sung!
